If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll remember that last spring I took my youngest daughter shopping for a grad dress. She was graduating from grade eight, and we found a dress that was both lovely and age-appropriate.

My oldest daughter is in grade twelve, and yesterday I took her shopping for her prom dress. It seems early, doesn’t it? Buying a dress for prom is more complicated than it used to be. One of the girls in her grade set up a Facebook page (in November) where everyone posts a photo of their dress to avoid duplicates. So the timing of buying a dress is tricky. You want it to be late enough that there’s a good selection, but early enough that you’re not scrolling through 120 photos on Facebook every time you see one you like.

My daughter and I don’t often shop together, other than when she needs shoes. She’s very independent and enjoys buying clothes on her own. Her preference is to shop at vintage shops or Goodwill. For one thing, she loves the unique clothes that she finds there. But just as important, she likes supporting local small businesses, and appreciates the low carbon footprint of buying something and extending its life. I love her sense of adventure and her individual sense of style.

A prom dress is different, though. We spent an evening looking at dresses at the local mall, but she was concerned that she’d look like everyone else if she bought a dress there. So yesterday morning, she and I drove down to Queen Street, the local fashion district. We’d planned to hit a few stores, but found such an incredible selection at Fashion Crimes that we made it our one and only stop. For about half the price of a dress at the mall, she tried on an amazing selection of dresses, and narrowing it down to one was nearly impossible. So we bought two – one for prom, and another that she can wear to a wedding later this spring. Needless to say, she looks divine in both.

And the best part was spending time with my sweet daughter. Six months from now she’ll be at university and moments like that will be less common. I want to hold onto every occasion that we spend one-on-one time together, and recognize it for how precious it is.

She and I loved this mango bread that I baked last week. We had unseasonably warm weather until a couple of days ago – I don’t think I’ve ever worn shorts and sandals in Toronto in March before. And that’s probably why I was inspired by the tropical fruit display in the grocery store. I baked this wonderful mango bread and, with its hints of lime and ginger, it was absolutely wonderful. As my daughter said, “It’s so good, you don’t even notice the raisins!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, or butter it to prevent sticking.Put the pan on an insulated baking sheet or on two regular baking sheets stacked one on top of the other.(This extra insulation will keep the bottom of the bread from overbaking.)

Whisk the eggs and oil together.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.Add the brown sugar, making sure to break up any lumps.Pour the wet ingredients over the dry, switch to a sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon and mix until blended.The batter will be very thick.Stir in the mango, raisins and zest. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.

Bake the bread for 1 1/2 hours, or until it is golden brown and a thin knife inserted into the centre comes out clean.(If the bread looks like it’s getting too brown as it bakes, cover it loosely with a foil tent.)Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes before running a knife around the sides of the pan and unmolding.

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comments:

The whole prom experience is totally changed from my prom in 1984! I shudder to remember... I'm sure your daughter enjoyed the shopping experience, and you'll have to post a mother-daughter pic on the big day!

Your daughters sound lovely and how right you are to cherish these times with them! I have to agree that the vintage stores are very interesting and fun to shop. Your mango bread looks delicious, one of my favorites;-)

Ooooh, I was hoping for a dress picture! This bread looks great though, so it will work. :) I really like your daughter's choices for shopping. I've never been a fan of mall shopping, so anything off the path sounds good to me!

Side note: A FB page just for the dresses?! Holy smokes, times have changed. I can't even imagine. Of course, I probably would have just laughed if I'd shown up in the same dress as another girl. :P Fashionista, I am not. I'm glad she found two great options though!

We'll be shopping for a prom dress and thinking about my daughter going to college in 3 years. It's going so fast. I hope she lets me go with her to get the dress. Like your daughter, she's very independent and likes to go shopping with her friends, not me.

The bread looks delicious. Congrats on the Prom. My daughter's class did the same thing for their prom, posting the pictures. Funny, same thing here, my daughter shops with friends, but we did go together for her Prom dress, that was such a nice special time.

Your daughter sounds incredibly intelligent and resourceful, well done. :-) Those attributes as well as an appreciation for baking...her future looks quite bright! Speaking of bright, this bread looks so "springy." What a great way to put mangos to use.

I just watched a little bit of Mama Mia, the movie, a little while ago (while hula hooping) and this sentimental fool cried. A daughter growing up was tough on me. But I'm grateful she is an independent soul -- who still loves her mama!

Such wonderful times are meant to be held in your heart forever! I think it’s terrific that your daughter has her own sense of style! Your mango bread looks delicious! By the way, I just ordered two of your books for my granddaughter…she turns eight on the eleventh of April and devours books!

What a special time to have with each other. What a big moment!! Wow - university so soon. =) How grand to have that adventure ahead. This mango bread sure is a sweet way to spend time with each other.

Oh, that sounds delicious! Mangoes have just gone out of season here, but I don't think I can wait until next summer. I might have to risk the tinned variety, though I'm usually a snob about them.

I bought my formal (Aussie prom) dress with my Mum, and like you guys, we picked somewhere that wasn't the mainstream mall to buy it. I got years of use out of it, and I still remember what a great day we had hanging out together when we bought it.

I've been through the prom dress experience with two generations. Must admit my daughter was the easier of the two. My granddaughter is very short and very fussy...we had a terrible time both her junior and senior year, but, with a lot of alterations, came up with something that pleased us both. Have not heard that they post photos on Facebook!! That's amazing.

Nice story about dress shopping. And the recipe looks quite nice. I love mango, and don't have enough recipes that use it. Although maybe I'm fooling myself - by the time I get done cutting it up, I want to eat it right away! Immediately! So I'm not sure if I'll even actually do anything more complicated than a mango chutney. But I can dream, can't I? Anyway, nice post - thanks.

Ahhh, I remember prom dress shopping. Part of the joy of being as short as I am is worrying about all the alterations later, haha. The Facebook idea is useful, but then there will be less of a surprise when everyone shows up at the prom! Either way, I'm glad you guys had such a fun time shopping together.

I have to tell you last year I was invited to go prom dress shopping for my grand daughter who was in grade 8.It was quite the adventure after raising 4 sons; not an easy task; but we did find something appropriate and very sweet.Your mango brad would be real good with a cup of tea after a day of dress shopping.Rita

Sounds like you are bringing up one special young lady. I am so happy that she found a dress she loved and also that you got to spend time with her picking it out. Great idea the girl had to put the dresses on Facebook.

Kids grow up so fast and before you realize it they open their own wings and leave you! It was so good for you that you got to spend sometime with her before she leaves home to face the world. The sweet bread looks beautiful and I am sure you all enjoyed it very much!

They grow so fast. Trite but true :-). I'm so glad the shopping expedition was successful and that you enjoyed each other company. Your bread looks delicious and I can see why you both enjoyed it. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Oh my gosh, it sounds like prom dress shopping has gotten a bit more complicated than when I was in high school! A FB page with everyone's prom dresses? That's crazy talk. Glad you found a couple that worked and I bet that time with your daughter was precious.This mango bread looks AMAZING! Like your daughter, I am not a raisin fan, but if she claims you don't even notice them, maybe I'll give it a try!

We were at dinner last Saturday night when several prom couples came in the restaurant. I love seeing the kids all dressed up. Those times are so special. It's been a few year since my son last went to prom but I remember it like it was yesterday.

Such special times with your daughter. Yes, cherish every moment. I hope you'll share a picture with us of her in her dress.

What a splendid shopping trip Beth! I know what you mean by having fewer and fewer moments together like that. My son has one more year left at home. Time sure does fly by. I'm so glad you found the perfect dress and at a reasonable price! Win,win! The bread looks soft and tropical. So yummy!

Wow. I had no idea that dress shopping had become so involved. Sounds like your daughter has a neat sense of style. What a fun afternoon you must have had together. I must say that I cracked up reading about you "sneaking" raisins into the mango bread.

Dear Beth, sounds like you and your daughter had a beautiful time together. I know how you feel...I cherish every moment I blessed to spend with my family. The bread sounds like a perfect end to your shopping adventures! It looks delicious and sounds marvelous. Blessings for a beautiful weekend my dear, your friend, Catherine xo

How precious Beth! Glad you are enjoying precious time with your daughter. The mango bread sounds delightful, I'd love to give it a go. Mangoes are plentiful in our new home, and butter is hideously expensive, so this recipe sounds perfect :)